Burnham once refused to meet Trump

As Manchester mayor in 2017, Andy Burnham said Trump would not be welcome in his city. Two years later he said he would refuse to meet him.

Now he's meeting Trump at the UN

Britain's Prime Minister Burnham will hold his first meeting with US President Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Burnham took office in July

Burnham replaced Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader and became prime minister. His only foreign trip since then was to Kyiv to support Ukraine.

Ukraine and Middle East top the agenda

Burnham will urge Trump to send interceptor missiles to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses. He also wants to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz, blocked since the US-Israeli war with Iran began in February.

The strait's closure is hurting Britain

The blocked shipping route has sent oil prices spiking, complicating Burnham's efforts to jump-start Britain's sluggish economy and ease the cost of living.

Trump has needled UK officials

Trump has called Burnham a nice guy but recently expressed support for Irish unification and mused about the Falkland Islands, claimed by both Britain and Argentina.

“a nice guy”

Burnham will seek common ground

After becoming prime minister, Burnham said he always tries to find common ground with other politicians. Labour chairwoman Bridget Phillipson said he would be pragmatic.

Burnham walks a difficult line

He must build rapport with Trump while pressing the European line on Ukraine and addressing concerns about Gaza and Israeli settlements, without creating conflict with the US.

Opposition calls for tougher stance

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey urged Burnham to stand up to Trump, saying that is the only language the president respects, as other middle-sized powers forge closer alliances.

“the only language the president respects”